Avalanche activity has been on the steady decline over the past week. The last reported human triggered avalanche in the forecast area occurred on Thursday December 26th. The nature of a persistent weakness in our snowpack is such that instability continues for extended periods. While the likelihood of triggering a slab avalanche gets lower with each passing day, the possibility still remains. The setup still exists for a slab avalanche to occur, especially in steep terrain above treeline. Test results have been confirming this over the past several days. It is getting more difficult to initiate an avalanche, but the possibility for an avalanche to propagate across a slope remains.
With all of this in mind, it will be important to approach steep slopes in the higher elevations with caution. It may be possible to get onto multiple slopes in this category without incident but eventually find a slope that will avalanche. Because of this possibility it is worth continuing to use good travel habits; one at a time on a slope, avoid being above your partner, have an escape route planned and carry & know how to use your safety equipment.
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